News Release

Monday, October 20, 2008

Man Injures Two, Barricades Self, before Being Taken Into Custody

Los Angeles: A Los Angeles man was taken into custody after assaulting and injuring a postal carrier and assaulting an LAPD officer, then holding police at bay for over seven hours in the 120 block of South Rampart Boulevard.

On October 15, 2008, at around 12:50 p.m., Romeo Ramos assaulted a postal carrier who had been delivering mail to his home, with a rock, resulting in minor injuries to him. The police were called and responding officers were assaulted by Ramos with a knife, though they were not injured. Ramos then ran back into his house where he refused to surrender.

After hours of negotiations, SWAT Officers fired tear gas into Ramos’ residence. Ramos responded by starting a small fire. Officers were able to extinguish the fire and were able to determine that Ramos was still hiding in the house, still armed with a knife, and still refusing to surrender.

Police Officers Robert Cottle (18-years with the Department), Michael Messenger (15-years with the Department) and John Ray (14-years with the Department), armed with less lethal weapons were able to locate Ramos hiding in a bedroom closet and repeated orders for him to surrender. When he continued to refuse to cooperate with the officer’s orders while continuing to brandish a knife, the officers believed that the incident could escalate to deadly force, and used their less lethal weapons to take Ramos into custody.

Ramos suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital where he was admitted for treatment.

Force Investigation Division is responsible for conducting the investigation.

Persons with any information related to this incident are requested to call the 24 hour tip line at 1-877 LAWFULL (529-3855). Those wishing to remain anonymous may use their cellular phones and text to “CRIMES” or by logging on to www.lapdonline.org and clicking on “webtips.” When using a cell phone always begin the text portion of the message with the letters LAPD. Texting or internet tips provided in this manner are anonymous.